Vern White was sworn in as Chief of Police of the Ottawa Police Service by Ontario Regional Senior Justice Peter Griffiths on Tuesday, May 22, 2007.
Before joining the Ottawa Police Service, Chief White led the Regional Police Service in Durham, a community of approximately 600,000 immediately east of Toronto.
Before becoming Chief in Durham in 2005, he spent over 20 years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, leaving with the rank of Assistant Commissioner. He was responsible for Information and Identification in Ottawa headquarters of the RCMP.
Earlier in his career he worked in various policy and investigational areas in a number of locations including Halifax, the Yukon Territories, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
His extensive experience includes major case management, community policing, proceeds of crime, detachment/unit commander, support services management, commercial crime and program policy. He is proficient in both official languages.
Chief White also has a wealth of demonstrated successes in working with diverse communities, particularly Canada's First Nations and Inuit communities.
In addition to a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Psychology from Acadia University and a Diploma in Business Administration, Chief White holds a Masters Degree from Royal Roads University in British Columbia in Conflict Analysis and Management. He completed his thesis on Restorative Justice.